BANGKOK — Thailand topped the list of most visited countries in Southeast Asia in 2024 with 35.5 million international tourist arrivals. It was also the world's eighth most popular destination in 2024, according to global rankings compiled by the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

Winners of the 17th Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards are in town as part of their prizes from PMFTC Inc., the business combination of Philip Morris International and Fortune Tobacco Corp. Launched in 2007, the Bright Leaf Awards are given annually to the most outstanding Philippine agricultural stories and photos published nationally or regionally in print, broadcast, and online media.